Ikemen Jiro is now gone from the promotion, as first reported by PWInsider. Jiro had been with the company since December 2020 but hadn’t appeared on NXT since late 2022. Jiro primarily wrestled on episodes of Level Up and at NXT house shows.
Jiro joins the following names who were also released on Thursday:
Dolph Ziggler
Mustafa Ali
Shelton Benjamin
Dana Brooke
Mace
Mansoor
Emma
Riddick Moss
Top Dolla
Rick Boogz
Elias
Aliyah
Dabba Kato
Shanky
Quincy Elliot
Yulisa Leon
Kevin Ventura-Cortez
Alexis Gray
Brooklyn Barrow
Jiro briefly formed a team with KUSHIDA in NXT known as Jacket Time before KUSHIDA departed the promotion in April 2022. The team went 2-6 on WWE programming.
Before signing with WWE in 2020, Jiro got his start wrestling for Yoshihiro Tajiri’s Wrestle-1 promotion in Japan, having debuted for the promotion in 2014.
Our own Dave Meltzer addressed WWE’s decision-making process regarding talent cuts in today’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Meltzer wrote:
The key to the releases were talent making main roster money but not being used on the main roster and with the idea that they were not going to be used in the future.
“It’s time in vs. how much money you are paid vs. return on investment,” said one WWE official regarding the talent cuts.
Giovanni Vinci (the recently repackaged Fabian Aichner) is set for action on NXT this Tuesday night.
WWE has confirmed that Vinci vs. Ikemen Jiro will take place on this Tuesday’s episode of NXT. Aichner debuted his new “Giovanni Vinci” character on NXT two weeks ago, defeating Guru Raaj.
Vinci vs. Jiro was set up when Jiro interrupted a backstage interview with Vinci on NXT last week.
“Giovanni Vinci claims to have finally brought style to NXT 2.0, but he may have forgotten the king of ‘style strong,’ Ikemen Jiro,” WWE wrote.
“Game recognized game when Jiro interrupted Vinci reveling in his debut win, proclaiming he liked Vinci’s style, but is he truly ‘style strong’? It will take more than a fresh suit to decide who is the real world-class athlete.
“Can Jiro show the newcomer a thing or two about style? Find out Tuesday night on NXT 2.0 at 8/7 C on USA.”
This April, Aichner left Imperium when he walked out on the group during a tag team match. Aichner wasn’t called up to the WWE main roster with Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser.
Here’s the updated lineup for this Tuesday’s NXT:
NXT Women’s Tag Team title number one contender’s match: Roxanne Perez & Cora Jade vs. Katana Chance & Kayden Carter
Indi Hartwell vs. Kiana James
Sanga vs. Xyon Quinn
Giovanni Vinci vs. Ikemen Jiro
Nikkita Lyons returns
NXT Champion Bron Breakker and Cameron Grimes go face-to-face
Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen address their NXT UK Tag Team title win
This match started fairly hot but fell apart almost immediately.
The opening collar-and-elbow turned into a battle on the ground in an intriguing opening sequence. Once they got back up on their feet, the match fell apart. Grace connected with some clumsy offense before taking the match back to the mat with a choke hold.
Feroz landed a leg scissor takedown, a trio of throws, and a spear, but Grace basically laughed it off. Grace tried lifting Feroz over her head, but Feroz reversed into a backslide pin, bringing the match to a close.
Sloane Jacobs defeated Sierra St. Pierre
This was bad.
Jacobs used a headlock to establish control early. Pierre tried for offense a couple of times but couldn’t get anything substantial until she grabbed a handful of hair. Once scoring a hair-pull takedown, Pierre connected with some horrible-looking strikes from full mount.
Pierre tried using a neck crank to maintain her control, but Jacobs fought to her feet and landed a butterfly suplex, clothesline, and a fireman’s carry facebuster to win the match.
Ikemen Jiro defeated Dante Chen
Compared to the rest of the card, this was fine—I mean, this was boring, but not horrible or anything.
The match opened with a series of quick pin attempts. Jiro took the lead with some arm drags and maintained it with work on the ground. Chen tried to fight back in the match with a botched double-knee facebreaker, but Jiro kept up the pressure with more rollup attempts.
Chen took mat control with a wear-down hold, focusing on Jiro’s arm. Jiro finally escaped with a pair of knees, followed by a sequence of jacket punches and springboard moonsault for a near fall. Chen answered with a gutbuster, but Jiro bounced back with an Ikemen Slash. Jiro then pinned Chen, winning the match.
WWE has confirmed a new match for tonight’s episode of NXT.
It’s been officially announced that Ikemen Jiro vs. Von Wagner will take place on NXT tonight. The match was set up in a video that WWE uploaded after NXT last week. Jiro was looking for Wagner and interrupted an interview with Wagner’s manager Mr. Stone:
WWE.com wrote:
It may be Von Wagner’s world, but Ikemen Jiro is sick of living in it.
After repeated attacks and being launched from the ring into the crowd at NXT Arena, Jiro is ready for some long-awaited retribution against the towering Superstar.
For weeks, Wagner has terrorized the NXT locker room with random and devastating attacks, including the horrendous ambush that left Jiro sidelined for weeks.
Can Jiro end Wagner’s chaotic reign of terror? Tune in Tuesday night at 8/7 C on USA to find out!
Tonight’s NXT is the second-to-last episode of the show before NXT In Your House. Here’s the updated lineup for tonight:
Non-title match: NXT Champion Bron Breakker vs. Duke Hudson
Non-title match: NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose vs. Indi Hartwell
Non-title match: NXT Tag Team Champions Pretty Deadly vs. Roderick Strong & Damon Kemp
Edris Enofe & Malik Blade vs. Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo & Troy “Two Dimes” Donovan
There was absolutely nothing special about this match.
Quinn and Drake opened by trading holds. Quinn gained the upper hand by interrupting Drake mid-sprint; Zack Gibson pulled Drake to the outside to save him. Quinn pursued Drake, only for Gibson to land some strikes while the referee wasn’t paying attention.
Back in the ring, Quinn continued to fight, even after Gibson’s interference. He endured a deep choke, responding with more strikes after escaping. A chokeslam from the top rope prompted Gibson to distract Quinn again. Drake grabbed the tights, rolling Quinn into a pin that ended this match.
After the match, Quinn pulled Gibson into the ring and hit him with a swinging Samoan drop.
Elektra Lopez defeated Sarray
This was bad—really bad. Sarray is some kind of magic school girl now, so that’s something.
Lopez used her size advantage early to gain control. She tossed, pulled, slammed, and dropped Sarray, with next to no resistance. Eventually, Sarray dodged an elbow drop, opening Lopez up to a dropkick and a pair of double stomps. Sarray tried for the knee but missed, crashing into Joaquin Wilde. Lopez capitalised, dropping Sarray on her face before pinning her to close the match.
Joe Gacy and Harland defeated Ikeman Jiro and KUSHIDA (Jacket Time)
The more I see from the Harland/Gacy pair, the cooler I get on them. This match wasn’t bad, but the culty stuff is too much for me.
KUSHIDA wrestled Gacy to the mat early and tagged out after proving his superiority. Jiro continued KUSHIDA’s lead, landing multiple jacket punches, forcing Harland to tag in.
Jiro tried striking down Harland, but the tree did not fall. Harland landed a splash into the corner before slamming Jiro into the mat. Harland stretched Jiro over the ropes, forcing Gacey to calm him down. Gacy tagged in, landed a DDT, and tried for the pin; Jiro kicked out.
Jiro reversed a backdrop into a crossbody, buying him enough time to tag KUSHIDA into the match. KUSHIDA unloaded with heavy offence before Harland interrupted a handspring. KUSHIDA tried following up with an octopus, but Harland hit the ring. Gacy had to calm Harland down again, allowing Jiro to tag back in. Harland’s gaze froze Jiro, opening him up to a big lariat from Gacy. Harland tagged in once more, landed a giant splash, and pinned Jiro to close the show.
WWE has revealed the lineup for the second episode of NXT Level Up.
The new series made its debut last week, replacing 205 Live on Friday nights. It features some of NXT’s “brightest young talent as they look to make a name for themselves and begin their climb to the top of NXT 2.0.”
Jacket Time (Kushida & Ikemen Jiro) vs. Joe Gacy & Harland
Xyon Quinn vs. James Drake
Sarray vs. Elektra Lopez
Kushida was also involved in the main event of the premiere episode of Level Up last week. He lost to Edris Enofe on the show.
Drake and his tag team partner Zack Gibson recently made it to the semifinals of the 2022 men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic before losing to The Creed Brothers, who went on to win the tournament.
Quinn lost to Gacy in the main event of the final 205 Live episode two weeks ago.
Neither Sarray nor Lopez are involved in this year’s women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. That tournament began on NXT earlier this week.
Sarray is currently on a three-match winning streak.
NXT Level Up airs on Peacock/WWE Network at 10 p.m. Eastern time on Fridays. It’s taped before NXT each week.
This was fine, especially for such a one-sided match.
Nile proved early she had the strength advantage, controlling both a grounded and standing Yan. Yan finally created some separation with a rollup minutes into the match. Yan’s offence was short-lived, however, as Nile landed a step-up kick, leaving Yan laying. A dragon sleeper in the centre of the ring proved too much for Yan, leaving Nile with the submission victory.
Boa defeated Draco Anthony
This match was utterly dated, to say the least. Boa’s offence feels like something from a bygone era, before the world knew of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and the east was a mystical region shrouded in mystery—utterly bizarre.
Anthony gained the upper hand early but failed to convert into anything substantial. Unlike Anthony, Boa’s offence was significant; he landed a back body drop, followed by strikes and a butterfly suplex. On the mat, Boa squeezed Anthony with a nerve hold.
Anthony tried to rally but was cut off when Boa grabbed him by the chin. This chin hold was so painful that he fell to the mat, leading to the referee stopping the match in favour of Boa.
Julius Creed and Brutus Creed (The Creed Brothers) defeated Ikemen Jiro and Kushida (Jacket Time)
This was an exceptional match. The inter-team in-ring chemistry combined with the creative ringwork made for a great main event, even considering some early flaws in delivery.
Before the match, the Creed brothers cut a less than stellar promo, essentially saying they were going to beat up anyone in their way.
Jiro immediately fell victim to the wrestling of the Creed brothers. A series of Jiro forearms from behind allowed Kushida to tag into the match. Likewise, Kushida fell to the Creed brother’s strength after entering the match.
Kushida was able to withstand the Creeds long enough to tag Jiro back into the match. Jiro and Creed fought back in tandem, but Brutus ended their comeback by launching Jiro onto the arena floor. The brothers, again, took turns throwing Jiro across the ring. An inverted bear slam turned into a one-arm powerbomb, comparable to a crucifix powerbomb, and yielded Brutus a near fall.
Jiro escaped a bear hug and stalled long enough to tag Kushida into the match. Jacket Time’s tandem rally forced a pin breakup. The breakup bought the Creeds enough time to subdue Kushida and catch Jiro with a nasty slam. Brutus then launched Julius from his shoulders into a moonsault before hitting a standing moonsault of his own. Brutus pinned Jiro to close the match.
Seeing the cruiserweight champion on the cruiserweight show is a lovely, if rare, sight. The match was nothing much.
Strong tried to open the match by gaining control of the arm, but Feng’s size allowed him to run through the champion. Even against the larger Feng, Strong utilised his wrestling aptitude (and some underhanded tactics) to stay on equal footing. This basic trope made up the meat of the match.
The ending sequence was over almost as soon as it started. A strike rally from Feng resulted in a near fall. From the ground, Strong landed a few kicks, creating separation. The extra space allowed Strong to land the jumping knee, leading to the pin.
Valentina Feroz defeated Erica Yan
This was an enjoyable watch. While not perfect, the match benefited greatly from compelling mat work.
Feroz took the debuting Yan to the mat with arm control immediately following the opening bell. Yan survived, gaining a sustained headlock. Feroz turned the headlock into a throw, taking the match to the mat once more.
Yan avoided an elbow drop; she capitalised by connecting with a series of shoulder tackles. Feroz was able to survive the offence by regaining arm control and securing another takedown. Feroz locked in a leg scissor choke, leading to the submission.
James Drake and Zack Gibson (Grizzled Young Veterans) defeated Ikemen Jiro and Kushida
In another 205 Live oddity, this match featured a storyline. It was a fun outing and a nice change from the typically uneventful main events.
After an animated opening sequence, Jiro and Kushida left their opponents frustrated. Only after a sneaky tag did GYV gain control over their opponents. Gibson and Drake resolved their early frustrations by isolating Jiro, slowly picking him apart.
After a prolonged control segment, Jiro reversed a suplex, allowing him to finally secure the tag, a sequence that left Jiro without a jacket. A four-way brawl broke out in the following moments, a scuffle that left the babyfaces with an advantage. Just as the end was in sight, the music of Diamond Mine and the presence of Creed brothers provided a distraction for GYV. GYV hit ticket to mayhem, leading to the win.
Kushida & Jiro have been feuding with Diamond Mine in NXT. They’re set to face Diamond Mine’s Creed Brothers (Julius & Brutus Creed) in a tag team match on NXT next Tuesday.
Diamond Mine’s Roderick Strong won the NXT Cruiserweight Championship from Kushida on NXT this September. Strong will face Ru Feng in non-title action on this Friday’s 205 Live.
205 Live airs on Peacock/WWE Network at 10 p.m. Eastern time on Fridays. Valentina Feroz vs. the debuting Erica Yan is also set for the episode. Yan (Yvonne Yin) was one of three recruits from Asia who joined the WWE Performance Center this July. Feng (Feicheng Wang) was also part of that class.
WWE wrote about Yan when she signed with the company: “Yin is a Chinese athlete who brings experience in CrossFit to the PC. In addition to being a champion indoor rower, Yin placed second in the CrossFit China Open and competed in the Asia CrossFit Championship.”
Despite this match’s short runtime, Chen was still able to come across as sloppy in-ring.
An opening grappling sequence led to arm drags by Chen. A dropkick from Blade stopped Chen’s momentum. The match then transitioned to the mat, where Blade maintained control.
Chen regained footing in the match after an awkward takedown followed by a superkick. An even more awkward slam left Blade prone for an inside cradle guillotine drop, leaving Chen with the win.
Amari Miller defeated Valentina Feroz
For some reason, this match was performed with a heavy focus on groundwork. It was forgettable, to say the least. This was a rematch, and Miller’s win leaves the pair tied; I assume a rubber match is coming soon.
Feroz took the match to the mat as soon as it began. As soon as the pair was standing, Miller returned the favour with an arm drag, bringing the action back to the canvas. Miller was generally unable to maintain control of Feroz while on the mat, but she could fight off an armbar.
Feroz tossed Miller a few times before the pair traded pin attempts. After kicking out, Feroz stepped away, allowing Miller to catch her with a knee strike, pinning her for the win.
It’s hard to give a delimited synopsis of this match because everything in it was good.
Barthel and Baxter opened the match with a zestful back and forth. After catching Baxter with a pair of thunderous strikes, Aichner tagged into the match. Against Aichner, Baxter was able to slow Imperium’s control before tagging Jiro into the match. Jiro and Baxter together were able to secure match control for their team.
Jiro and Baxter set up for a double tope, but Imperium cut them off via sudden clotheslines. Imperium then hung Baxter in the ropes to deliver a double dropkick. From this point on, Baxter was under heavy fire from both members of Imperium. Baxter scratched and clawed to regain some momentum by tagging in his partner, and was eventually able to do so.
Jiro unloaded with strikes and dives. A moonsault led to a near fall. Baxter then tagged back into the match before trying again for the double tope; this time, it worked.
As the teams re-entered the ring, the referee became occupied with some kind of distraction. This allowed Imperium to single out Baxter, delivering the Imperium bomb that resulted in an Imperium win.
Final Thoughts:
I see no reason why anyone who isn’t covering this show would choose to watch it live; at least, that was my takeaway before the main event. The first two matches were utterly forgettable. The main event was great. That is what this show needs more of if it has any future whatsoever.
Roderick Strong has his opponent for this week’s NXT.
WWE has announced that Strong vs. Ikemen Jiro will take place on NXT this Tuesday night. The match was confirmed after Jiro accepted Strong’s open challenge over the weekend.
Strong was supposed to challenge for Kushida’s NXT Cruiserweight Championship two weeks ago, but it was announced that Kushida wasn’t cleared to compete and the match wouldn’t be taking place. Strong instead issued an open challenge and lost to Ilja Dragunov.
A promo from Malcolm Bivens aired on NXT last week. Bivens called Strong the uncrowned NXT Cruiserweight Champion and said Strong would issue another open challenge on this Tuesday’s NXT.
On Saturday, Jiro posted a video where he announced that he’ll be answering Strong’s open challenge. Jiro said Kushida is his idol, and Kushida will beat Strong once he’s healthy. Jiro said he wants to beat Strong too.
Jiro has been a regular on 205 Live since signing with WWE last December. He’s also had three matches on NXT, including losing to Duke Hudson in the first round of the NXT Breakout Tournament. Jiro lost to Ridge Holland on NXT four weeks ago.
This Tuesday’s NXT was taped at the WWE Performance Center last week. Here’s the updated lineup for the episode:
This match was all Chase until the closing moments. It was fine, but nothing more than that — about what one should expect for a match on 205 Live.
This match opened with back-and-forth chain wrestling that Chase emerged from with control. Waller worked Chase outside of the ring but couldn’t maintain his advantage upon reentry. What followed was an extended period of Chase favored offense.
A quick backslide followed by a crucifix pin from Waller provided him enough separation time to connect with a quick strike. Waller tried to follow up but was interrupted soon after. Chase locked in the STF that forced Waller to find refuge via rope break. Chase powered Waller into the corner but was dropped by a ready Waller, opening up an offensive opportunity for him once more. Waller climbed to the top rope to deliver an elbow drop but was cut off by the knees of Chase. Chase followed his reversal with a tiger driver that yielded a two count.
After a brief scuffle on the ring apron, Chase sent Waller to the mat; this left both men in prime position for Waller’s run-in stunner. Waller hit the stunner, an elbow drop, and a curb stomp, all in quick succession to close the match.
Ikemen Jiro defeated Trey Baxter
This was a satisfactory performance from both men but far from great.
Following the recent statements from WWE regarding independent talent, seeing Trey Baxter on Titan programming leaves a strange feeling. Baxter, formerly Blake Christian, was perhaps the most indy-style wrestler on the American independents.
Jiro opened the match with his playful energy, flaunting his mandarin-adorned jacket. Jiro’s joyful approach allowed Baxter to gain offensive control. A moonsault and tope resulted in near falls for Baxter.
Jiro gained control for the first time by hoisting Baxter into a fireman’s carry. After a brief struggle, Jiro was able to start stringing together offense. Jiro connected with a superkick and senton for a near fall of his own. The Ikemen slash that would close the match was avoided, allowing Baxter to connect with a suplex. A now bloody Baxter hit a flipping dive that a mathematician needs to analyze before trying for a pin. Jiro turned the pin around to pin Baxter, leaving him with a sudden victory.
Two debuts have been announced for this week’s episode of 205 Live.
Ahead of taking part in the NXT Breakout Tournament, Odyssey Jones and Josh Briggs will both be making their televised WWE debuts on 205 Live this Friday night. Jones is facing Grayson Waller on the episode, while Briggs is facing Asher Hale.
WWE wrote that, to preview Jones and Briggs being in the Breakout Tournament, 205 Live is forgoing its typical 205-pound weight limit for Friday’s episode.
Jones (real name Omari Palmer) is a former offensive lineman for Syracuse University. He signed with WWE and joined the Performance Center in February 2019. Jones made his in-ring debut at an NXT house show in November of that year.
Jones wrestled in a dark match prior to last week’s SmackDown.
Briggs (real name Joshua Bruns) formerly wrestled for EVOLVE and was the last-ever EVOLVE Champion.
Trey Baxter (formerly known as Blake Christian), Carmelo Hayes (Christian Casanova), Andre Chase (Harlem Bravado), Briggs, Ikemen Jiro (Jiro “Ikemen” Kuroshio), Joe Gacy, Jones, and Duke Hudson (Brendan Vink) make up the field for this year’s NXT Breakout Tournament. The winner will receive a shot at the NXT title of their choosing.
The Breakout Tournament will begin with Jiro vs. Hudson taking place on NXT next Tuesday.
Today, WWE cut eight members of the already thin 205 Live roster; given 205 Live is taped, and the left-hand seemingly doesn’t know what the right is doing, all of those cut still appeared on the show intro.
This is an entirely different show than it was this time last week.
Ikemen Jiro defeated Ariya Daivari
Ariya Daivari was among the released earlier today, so this seems to be his unofficial sendoff. It was a good match, but what unfortunate circumstances it was under.
The match opened with Daivari and Jiro going back and forth. Commentary mentioned Daivari fighting for “job security” after Jiro debuted; if only they knew. Jiro emerged from the opening skirmish with swagger-filled control.
Jiro connected with multiple forearms but was intercepted. As Daivari gained a lead, commentary again referenced Daivari’s pay. Daivari landed multiple strikes before a reverse suplex reset the match’s pace.
A quick sequence composed of a missed Ikeman slash and Asai moonsault left Jiro with a near fall. After Daivari climbed to the top rope and missed a dive, Jiro connected with the Ikemen slash; this time, the pin was successful.
Grayson Waller defeated August Grey
Talk about a boring match.
Waller and Grey toyed with each other in the opening moments by connecting with substantial moves that weren’t followed. The match slowed as Grey gained control of Waller’s arm. After holding Waller on the mat for a while, Grey was caught by a quick forearm, opening up the match once more.
A massive kick to Grey allowed Waller to take complete control. After positioning Grey in the tree of woe, Waller stomped his opponent into the corner. Waller then connected with a top rope elbow drop for a near fall.
Grey flipped Waller with a quick backdrop before sending him to the outside with a forearm. Grey hit a tope which he followed with a crossbody; Waller tied himself in the ropes to prevent any follow-up. After Waller freed himself, he connected with the curb stomp, pinning Grey soon after.
Since last week I’ve done light research on Grayson Waller (FKA Matty Wahlberg), and he has considerable talent. His back catalogue is impressive, as was this match. This match was considerably better than the average 205 Live outing.
The first screenless 205 Live match in the Capitol Wrestling Center began with an exciting back and forth ground exchange. After backing Waller into the ropes, Hale offered Waller his guard, which Waller responded with a boot. A quick kick to the head sent Hale to the outside, where Waller slammed him to the floor.
As soon as the pair re-entered the ring, Hale sent Waller back to the outside and hit a running knee. Hale wasn’t able to follow up as Waller interrupted a top rope dive. Waller connected with significant and uncontested offence while scoring multiple near falls, but Waller allowed Hale back into the match when he paused to taunt him.
Hale rallied, connecting with a barrage of strikes. Waller slid to the outside and tried for his stunner but slipped into a deep sleeper. Waller escaped the hold by falling to the outside; this allowed him to try for a second stunner, and this time it connected. A curb stomp from Waller followed, leading to the pin.
Waller extended his hand to Hale following his victory but shook his own hand, leaving Hale visibly upset.
Ikemen Jiro defeated Tony Nese
While this wasn’t a Dragon Gate/Wrestle-1 war of alumni, such as some might have expected, it was convivial through and through. Jiro seems incapable of having a match that doesn’t leave you grinning.
The opening “feeling out process” ended after Nese pulled Jiro’s hair, slamming him to the mat. Jiro popped up and flaunted his flower-adorned jacket. Jiro connected with light offence before Nese used referee-created separation to land with a throat punch. Jiro rolled to the floor, and Nese followed, battering against the announce table.
Before Nese returned to the ring, he put on his hoodie, mocking Jiro’s signature appearance. Nese lifted Jiro for a backbreaker, but Jiro escaped, pulling Nese’s jacket over his face. Jiro took advantage of a now blind Nese by connecting with strikes galore. Jiro hit a beautiful senton bomb for a near fall.
Nese landed a head kick as Jiro was perched on the top turnbuckle. Jiro tried for a rollup as he descended, but Nese caught him with a second head kick. Nese set up for the running knee, but Jiro rolled to the outside.
Once back between the ropes, Jiro hit four thunderous kicks in quick succession (the sound clearly not from a boot meeting flesh). The fourth kick was the Ikemen Slash, and it led to the Jiro pinfall.
